A HELENSBURGH and Lomond councillor has said that the sale of the town’s Waterfront “should not proceed at this time” after consultation results were revealed.
Argyll and Bute Council published a report on Friday, October 9 which showed 94.8 per cent of the more than 3,400 consultation responses were against its proposal for a supermarket in front of the town’s leisure centre.
Councillor Iain S Paterson (SNP, Lomond North) has now expressed a preference for uses that retain the Waterfront “for public benefit”.
Meanwhile, councillor Maurice Corry (Conservative, Lomond North) has said that he trusts that “common sense will prevail” after the publication of the consultation results.
Councillors Fiona Howard (Labour, Helensburgh Central) and Ian MacQuire (Independent, Helensburgh Central) have already publicly stated their opposition to a supermarket being placed on the site. The proposal also includes three smaller retail units, a skatepark and car parking.
The report on the consultation results will be considered by the council’s policy and resources committee at its meeting on Thursday, October 15.
A public meeting at Helensburgh’s Tower Centre has been called by Helensburgh Community Council for the evening of Tuesday, October 13.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service contacted all 10 Helensburgh and Lomond councillors for their views on the consultation results on Monday, October 12. To date, only Cllrs Paterson and Corry have sent a response.
Cllr Paterson said: “The consultation shows very strong opposition to the proposed sale. As elected members, we must take those views seriously and explain how they influence our decisions.
“Having considered the proposal and the consultation response, my view is that this sale should not proceed at this time.
“I recognise that public engagement has already explored possible uses for the site. However, the strength of opposition to the current proposal means the way forward needs to be reconsidered.
“My preference would be for uses that retain the waterfront for public benefit, including open space, leisure, and community activities, we should revisit the alternatives already put forward, working with the community to establish what is practical and how it could be funded and maintained.”
Meanwhile, Cllr Corry said: “It is very important that any development on the seafront delivers the very best for Helensburgh and its people whatever is decided for economic and residential development in our local area.
“There are varying views of how this should be achieved and there is clearly healthy debate ongoing. I trust common sense will prevail.”
In a column in a section of the local press on Thursday, September 3, by which time the consultation had closed, Cllr Howard wrote: “A previous attempt on my part to have the process at least paused to enable Helensburgh Community Council to do additional work on the financial viability of their proposals failed, sadly, but this recent consultation provided another chance for Helensburgh to be heard.
“There will, of course, be consequences for Argyll and Bute Council if enough of my colleagues vote against the sale. But they are in a situation of their own making – which part of ‘no’ didn’t they understand?
“So: in the interests of democracy, it will be an emphatic ‘no’ from me!”
At a meeting of the council’s Helensburgh and Lomond area committee on Tuesday, September 8, Cllr MacQuire said: “When I first became a councillor, and the first time I met [chief executive] Pippa Milne, one of the first questions I was asked was what I thought of the plans for the Waterfront.
“I asked what they were and was told they were a supermarket. I said I hated it, because it is not what the community want. We need something for the community.
“In support of Councillor Howard, I am now going to say publicly that I will be voting against a supermarket.”
Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess (SNP, Helensburgh and Lomond South), who is on the policy and resources committee, wrote in a local press column last week: “The council will shortly have an important decision to consider, including the long-term future of the site, the financial implications and, most importantly, what the decision could mean for Helensburgh.
“I recognise the views and concerns being expressed locally. People care deeply about our waterfront and understandably want to understand the reasoning behind any decision.
“I will continue to listen to those views and consider all the information and arguments with an open mind. Whatever the outcome, this is an important decision for Helensburgh and deserves careful and considered discussion.”
